Police appeal for witnesses after bus driver assaulted in Lambeth

Detectives from the Met’s Roads and Transport Policing Command (RTPC) are appealing for witnesses and information following an attack on the driver of a route 432 bus in Lambeth.

The offence took place at around 22:20hrs on Friday, 7 December.

The driver was taking his break upon reaching the terminus at Stockwell Park Walk, SW9. A man approached the bus and started banging on the front door of the bus, trying to board it.

The driver, who was sat in the driver cabin, opened the door and the male got on the bus and went to sit down. The driver informed the man that the bus was not in service and directed him to the correct bus stop. The man got off the bus and walked away.

The driver then drove the bus a little further down the road, away from the man.

The man returned and he again banged on the front doors. The driver got off the bus and directed the male to the correct bus stop.

The man then punched the driver in the face and grabbed hold of the driver, before walking off towards the town centre.

The police and London Ambulance Service attended the scene. The driver was taken to a south-London hospital where it was confirmed that he had several injuries, including a broken cheek bone and a fractured eye socket.

Anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV or witnessed the offence is urged to contact police on 101 or via Twitter @MetCC. To give information anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org